Got a new shotgun.

[gamekeeper]

A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about all the guns I have let go and out of all of them which one would I like back, well I've owned all sorts of guns plain and fancy but the one I thought about most was plain and simple just a Winchester 37a in 20 gauge, I bought one new when I was gamekeeping and it served me well and was easier to tote around than my pumps and side by sides. A week ago I saw an ad for a Winchester 37a 20 gauge for £99.00 described as immaculate. I pondered on it for a while and today I bit the bullet and bought it. Should get it next week sometime. The 37a was built in Canada and is really a Winchester badged Cooey 84 which I have had a few of and have several Cooey spare parts. The Cooey was designed in 1948 the same year as I was but I ain't got any spares

Winchester-Model-37A-Single-Shot-Shotgun-5.19-CRAntique002-scaled.jpg

[Bronco]

Dandy looking
Can hardly wait for the field reports.

[Paladin]

Well done, I wore one of those out as a teenager. I shot it so often that the last 3 inches of the barrel cracked.

[Pat C]

Real nice!

[GunnyMack]

That will serve you well John!

Guy I school picked up a 12ga 37a. He ported the barrel, polished the bore, removed the forcing cone. It was pure murder on clay birds. Next thing he cut the chamber to 3.5" and upon firing it with a waterfowl load the forend split length wise. He replaced it and kept it for shooting trap and dove hunting.

[Bill in Oregon]

Cool, John. Hope you didn't have to let something else go to open a spot on your FAC for it.
I still have Dad's somewhat battered Winchester Model 37 in 16 gauge. He bought it new for $9 about 1938 with paper route money. It has the fullest full choke I have encountered.

[RIHMFIRE]

[Ysabel Kid]

Congratulations John! Looks like your new shotgun will be a bunch of fun. I may be a newer model (a '64), but I have a ton of miles and no spare parts to be found either!

[Drawdown]

Me n my best friend both bought one in 12ga 3" after we graduated HS in 77. Killed lotta squirrels with both for number years, but we used his for fox n predator hunting at night, 3" magnum for that. We split 2 barrels on the last couple inches. The full choke was very short, looked like last 1" or less of the barrel. Still liked em, but loved my old 12ga Model 37 Original, rolled many squirrels out with it lotta years! An old coworker still has it. He won't sell it back to me! Model 37s were as common here back then as osk trees! I still have my Model 370 16ga which was Canadian made only few years, post 64 up until they introduced the 37a. My Mod 370 16ga is my best n favorite 16ga I ever owned, multitude of squirrels, several turkeys! It just shoots a good tight pattern with 4, 5, n 6,s!
I'd like to have a good 37a now in 16ga, it'd be a keeper! But not sure they made it in 16ga?

[JOG]

About a month ago my local gun shop had a pristine model 37 in stock! it had the red lettering {Winchester} on the bottom of the receiver. I think it was in 20 gauge if memory serves me correctly.
The price was $500! seems like quite a bit of sheckle's for a basic single shot!
Johnny

[gamekeeper]

About a month ago my local gun shop had a pristine model 37 in stock! it had the red lettering {Winchester} on the bottom of the receiver. I think it was in 20 gauge if memory serves me correctly.
The price was $500! seems like quite a bit of sheckle's for a basic single shot!
Johnny

The original Winchester 37 is highly regarded, the Canadian made Winchester 37a is not as collectable although both are good shotguns

[OldWin]

Awesome buddy! I've never owned a model 37. I dont see many in my area for whatever reason. I use single shot shotguns more than any other. I usually road hunt for partridge with my Jeep.

[gamekeeper]

I took it for a walk by the lake this morning, no Squirrels and bit too warm for hunting, probably the first time it been fired in nearly 50 years.

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[Bill in Oregon]

John, it looks absolutely brand new.

[Drawdown]

Man it sure does, that rings many a bell! When I was packing whatever auto I wanted from my dad's collection. I bought me an 870 12ga when I went to work. Then not long, I bought a 37a 12ga? Instant walking stick, turned squirrel getter when ready! Oh the beautiful simplicity-function of the SS! Only one shot needed! No wonder so many old timers was packing Model 37's, that looked like a crutch!
And that boat house with canoe waiting? My favorite way to get access to easy hunting, in mountains a Billy goat would struggle in!
Great pic!
Ive found my old Mod 370 16ga to be to squirrel hunting, just what the Mod 94 30-30 is to deer hunting? Just like Baby Bears Soup? Just Right!

[Drawdown]

Can't help but recall? When I was 18, I went work in Coal Mines, Young and Dumb, and full of C--e, a Wildcat with the brain of a Mole!
Immediately had a Co-Worker, Mentor! He's mid 30's, born and raised in Southern Indiana. Squirrel hunter, coon hunter, deer hunter, embedded from that farm country! But he was meant be a coal miner- mountain man if ever was one, he'd come home so to speak!
He lived in very head of one our many hollows, corn bread living!
And when time permitted? According to the season, he was doing one these things, and yes a big garden planted in spring, worked well, yielding by late summer!
But he was always yearning for fall! Squirrels 1st, and he could cover these mountains as fast and easily as one his hound dogs, and Squirrels rolled out trees everytime he went!
Then by leaves turning color-falling, he coon hunted at night, alone, him n dogs, and all thru winter!
And not long afterwards, it was deer season,!
And he didn't have many guns, in fact, I only ever saw 3, and I spent many an hour with him, in woods and on water fishing also.
His Mod 37 16ga for squirrels. A Colt Woodsman 22 for Coons. A Mod 336 in 35 Rem for deer! And it was as simple as that when he moved here, last I talked to him about 10 years ago, and as far as I know still is!